Demonical - Death Infernal Review
by Matt Hensch
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Listening to "Death Infernal" makes me wonder why Centinex called it a day in the first place. Shoving my nonsense aside, Demonical emerged from the ashes of the long-running Centinex and features several members of the now-defunct Swedish death metal machine. Engaging in a straightforward escapade of pure death metal in the vein of Entombed, Dismember, and pretty much the remaining herd of traditional Swedish craft, this kind of equation isn't like solving a bazillion logarithmic functions without a calculator. In fact, "Death Infernal" reminds me of Swedish death metal in its most digestible form, with nothing but meaty riffs and crispy destruction to boot. All in all, "Death Infernal" is abominable and terrorizing despite its simplicity, and sometimes you really can't ask for anything more.The opening moments of "The Arrival of Armageddon" sum up what Demonical has to say, and it honestly isn't deeply original or varied, but I really don't give a rat's ass. All nine tracks are systematically constructed with trademark qualities of Swedish death metal, using menacing riffs that reek of bass-heavy Entombed worship, deep growls, unrelenting brutality, and the signature 'buzzsaw' distortion dripping from the sharp guitars. As one could expect, the album is chalk-full of mutilating riffs and fiery tempos burning at unholy temperatures, never once dropping the iron grip of pure, unadulterated, bestial death metal. Performance wise, Demonical is dangerously scrupulous and explicitly natural in its unhallowed rituals just like any death metal juggernaut. Nothing amazingly technical, but who cares? Demonical alternates the album's progression from trademark ruthlessness to other standards often regurgitated in death metal, such as the rolling sequences and simplistic beats of "Return in Flesh" or occasional nods to modern death metal bands like Amon Amarth in some areas as well. Once again, you'll be sorely disappointed if straightforward death metal isn't your thing, but otherwise you've hit the grimmest jackpot around. "Death Infernal" is lethal, nihilistic, pulverizing death metal. Frills have no place in Demonical's playground of torturous violence, and this is certainly a mandatory listen for traditional death metal freaks everywhere.
Demonical - Death Infernal Rating:8.0
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